Off-Broadway's The New Group announces the launch of its new production division, The New Group (naked), with its debut presentation of A Likely Story written and performed by David Cale.

Tamara Jenkins directs the show set to run Dec. 1-18 at The Lion Theater in Theatre Row where The New Group is in residence.

A Likely Story follows the misfortunes that occur when "a married woman considers making Viagra brownies to seduce her neighbor, a wife’s poodle obsession gets out of hand, and two straight actors who loathe each other are cast as gay lovers in a TV movie," according to a release.

Solo performer-playwright Cale has been seen in Lillian (Obie Award), Deep in a Dream of You and Smooch Music and The Redthroats as well as the two-hander Betwixt at The New Group. A book of his monologues was published by Vintage Books.

Director Jenkins penned and helmed the films "Slums of Beverly Hills" and "Family Remains." Other film directorial work includes "Choices: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly" and "Fugitive Love."

The lower-budget New Group division (naked) "sees financial restriction as creative opportunity." The aim of the New Group's new group is to present two new plays each season in a forum that will allow artists a place "away from commercial pressures and soaring production costs." The New Group kicked off its mainstage season with its current staging of Michael Murphy's Sin (A Cardinal Deposed) starring John Cullum. In January, artistic director Scott Elliott will stage David Rabe's Hurlyburly with stars Bobby Cannavale, Ethan Hawke, Josh Hamilton, Catherine Kellner, Parker Posey and Wallace Shawn.

Tickets to the inaugural The New Group (naked) production of A Likely Story at The Lion Theater in Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd St, can be purchased by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information, visit www.thenewgroup.org.